Pipe fitting of felted asbestos and cement



Dec. 30, 1941. L. J. COSTA 2,267,817

PIPE FITTING OF FELTED ASBESTOS AND CEMENT Filed Aug. 30, 1937 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 30, 1941.

,L. J. COSTA PIPE FITTING 0F FELTED ASBESTOS AND CEMENT Filed Aug. 50,1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invewdbr fiaw sfiv Dec. 30, 1941. J. COSTA 67,8 7

PIPE FITTING OF FELTED ASBESTOS AND CEMENT Filed Aug. 30, 1937 '3Sheets-Sheet 5 \I /J O O O Patented Dec. 30, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

PIPE FITTING OF FELTED ASBESTOS AND CEMENT Louis J. Costa, Philadelphia,Pa. Application August 30, 1937, Serial No. 161,595

16 Claims.

The invention relates to pipe fittings of different kinds such as Y's,crosses, bends, etc., for uniting sections of pipe made from asbestosfiber and cement or other like pipe or for making connections by whichthe low of fluids in such piping is divided or its direction ratherabruptly changed.

A main purpose of my invention is to provide fittings of asbestos fiberand cement material which have maximum strength because of the mostadvantageous direction of the fibers involved.

A further purpose is to provide a plurality of longitudinal sectionsbuilt up of wet sheets pressed to lie parallel to the adjacent internalsurfaces of the pipe section respectively intermediate adjacentadjoining sections.

A further purpose is to provide pipe fittings to be inserted betweensections of so-called transite pipe formed of asbestos and cementwhereby the fitting is composed of the same material and made insimilarmanner as that of the A further purpose is to provide fittingsfor combined asbestos and cement piping which comprise a like materialformed of successive layers of sheets from a Fourdrinier or other typeof paper making or felting machine for felting fibers by whichsuccessive parts of the thickness of the section of the fittings aremade from successive sheets from the Fourdrinier machine and for thisreason the fibers have the same sheet direction and interfit to the bestadvantage.

A further purpose is to use a plurality of initially distinct sheets ofasbestos and cement in moist felted condition for a blank to be pressedinto contact with a form corresponding with half or other portion of afitting to be manufactured,

the felted sheets preferably being united progressively andpart of theirwater being removed by compression prior to application of the blank tothe form.

A further purpose is to take successive sheets from a Fourdrinier orother paper making machine, and comprising mixed asbestos and cement andplace them over a form outlining a pipe fitting upon which form they areto be united by pressure, which at the same time is intended to removeany remaining excess moisture, each sheet in turn covering substantiallythe entire area of the form so that all the parts about the form arefastened together by the sheets.

A further purpose is to unite in a pipe fitting divergent parts of halfpipe sections using material for the covering and forming all at oneoperation whereby the individual sheets connect at the joints and form aunion at the joints of the same character as that which is formedprogressively to produce the length of any pipe part of the fitting.

A further purpose is to wind upon a mandrel a felted sheet of asbestosand cement in plastic form, such as is produced upon a Fourdrinier felt,until a desired thickness has been attained for compression upon a form,tocompress the felted sheet, as it is wound, to withdraw the compressedfitted stock from the mandrel while still plastic, to place it as ablank upon the form and to compress it upon the form while stillplastic, subsequently curing the product optionally as in the prior artand preferably on the form.

A further purpose is to withdraw compressed and still plastic feltedmaterial from a cylindrical mandrel of circumference such that whencollapsed the withdrawn stock will be of suitable size for pressing uponthe form, to transfer it to the form and to press it upon the form tocomplete the ultimate product, withdrawing moisture by pressure as faras permissible while the felted material is being placed upon themandrel but not too much for the material not to be plastic at the timeit is collapsed and pressed.

A further purpose is to form felted material by layers woundprogressively upon a preferably cylindrical mandrel, and to cut thematerial wound from the mandrel, transferring the still wet cut sectionsto a form and pressing them upon the form, whereby the plastic on theform maintains substantially the same direction of fiber in sheet layersgenerally parallel to the surface-of the form and which sheet layerscorrespond to the original sheets wound and pressed.

- Afurther purpose is to provide a part of a special fitting of asbestosand cement in which portions at substantially the same distance from theinside of the fitting have come from the same sheets of Fourdriniermatted material, and in which the entire section is formed at oneoperation.

A further purpose of the present invention is to apply sheets orsuccessions of sheets over a form representing a laterally flanged partof a fitting, to correspond to an interior portion between longitudinalfianges, and to press the sheets or layers of sheets into conformitywith the form. The still somewhat wet sheets are thus pressed into theform so that the walls of the sheet ultimate fitting may comprise layersof sheets everywhere transverse to the wall thickness, whereby thefibers of the "transite material at any point of the fitting wall extendin all directions transverse to the fitting thickness. It will be seenthat the same sheet layers unite different branch portions of thefitting by one common sheet bond, avoiding the need for splicing thebranch portions.

A further purpose is to secure the benefit of two pressing operationsupon felted material received from a Fourdrinier machine, pressingsuccessive layers of the felted sheet material into contactto form ablank or work piece and then pressing this blank or work place againstthe form to outline the final pressed product or to form one of severallayers of a final pressed product, providing for a second pressingoperation, using either or preferably both pressing operations to uniteand compress the stock and to remove a portion of the moisture from thestock, leaving some moisture in the stock for setting and curingfunctions.

A further purpose is to die-stamp split fittings of uncured asbestosfiber and cement from blanks and to have the blanks for the die-stampinglaminated, in order to secure a fiber direction substantially everywherein the directions of wall extension as distinguished from directionstransverse to the Wall.

A further purpose is to use laminated sheets of uncured asbestos fiberand cement as a blank for die-pressing a split fitting of such material.

A further purpose is to optionally intersperse reinforcement material,such as expanded metal, metal screen, or the like between laminations ofuncured asbestos fiber and cement and to use the composite sheet ofreinforcement and of uncured sheets of asbestos fiber and cement as ablank for die-pressing a split fitting.

Further purposes will appear in the specification and in the claims.

My invention relates both to the methods involved and to mechanism bywhich the methods can be carried out.

Throughout the specification and claims "transite is intended to meanbroadly any composition of asbestos fiber and cement adapted to use inthe manufacture of pipe, herein called transite pipe, but which inpractice may vary" with respect to the character of the asbestos fibers,of the cement and also with respect to the relative proportions of fiberand cement.

I have preferred to illustrate my invention by several difierent forms,selecting forms particularly because of their advantage in illustratingthe invention.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the upper half of a split T fittingintended to represent broadly any fitting of the character indicated andsuitable to manufacture by die-pressing laminated sheets of uncuredasbestos fiber and cement.

Figure 2 is a top plan view showing a split coupling with holding boltsremoved, the fitting being intended to be of transite and a fragment ofpipe connecting to the coupling being shown, and the coupling partlysectioned to show one of many different forms of gasket connectionbetween the coupln and the pipe.-

Figure 3 is an end elevation of Figure 2taken upon line 33 thereof, andshowing some fastening parts omitted in Figure 2,

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are top plan views of an eibow, T and Y fittings,respectively intended to be typical illustrations merely of a few of thestationary, the terms "inside and outside fittings that may be made toembody the present invention.

Figure 7 is a top plan showing a 45 degree bend split fitting, the upperhalf partially sectioned showing fragments of transite" pipe connectedto the outlet ends of the bend.

Figure 8 is an elevation intended to be largely diagrammatic and toindicate different methods of building the blank prior to die-pressing,the views showing relatively movable upper and lower dies spaced apartand ready to receive one or more sheets of uncured transite" stockpreparatory to die-pressing.

Figure 9 is intended to be a conventional fragmentary illustration, inelevation of suitable mechanism for manufacturing short lengths oflaminated asbestos fiber and cement pipe and for the manufacture ofblanks for die-pressing into laminated fittings in accord with thepresent invention.

Figures 10 to 12 are perspective views showing different blanks from themechanism of Figure 9.

Figures 13 and 14 are end views illustrating a somewhat difierent blankfor use in die-pressing fittings in accord with the present invention.

Figures 15 and 16 are views corresponding generally to Figures 13 and 14and illustrating the use of reinforcement material with the laminatedblank of Figures 13 and 14.

Figure 17 is a view generally similar to Figure 9, but illustrating themechanism for formation of uncured sheets delivered, to a shuttlestructure for piling the successive folds of the sheet to form a blankfor die-pressing into a laminated split fitting.

Figures 18 and 19 are perspective views illustrating blanks made fromthe sheet material delivered by the mechanism of Figure 17, Figure 18showing the transite in a pile of back and forth folds, and Figure 19showing a similar blank provided with a reinforcement insert.

Figure'20 is a diagrammatic elevation generally similar to Figures 9 and17 showing a pile of asbestos fiber and cement sheets rolled into asingle or dense laminated sheet and out to lengths to form blanks fordie-pressing into split fittings.

Figures. 21 and 22 are blanks made from the laminated sheet materialdelivered from the structure of Figure 20, Figure 22 having areinforcing insert placed therein.

Figure 23 is a top plan of a lower and male die for use cooperativelywith an upper and female die in die-pressing a split fitting oflaminated uncured asbestos fiber and cement material, the view beingintended to represent any suitable die mechanism adapted to accomplishthe intended die-pressing operation. The ultimate thickness of thedie-pressed fitting is indicated in dot-anddash lines.

Figure 24 is a fragmentary elevation intended to be diagrammatic,corresponding generally to vertical section on the line 24-24 of Figure23, but showing the lower and inside or female die after thedie-pressing operation the upper and outside or male die being shownraised and the pressed fitting being seen in section above the lowerdie.

Figures 25 and 26 are views corresponding generally to Figures 23 and 24but with the dies relatively reversed in that in Figures 23 and 24 theinside or male die is stationary while in Figures 25 and 26 it is theoutside or female die that is relating to the pipe surface.

' Figure 27 is a top plan view of an inner die for die-pressing a splitcoupling of laminated asbestos fiber and cement and is intended to showconventionally any suitable die adapted to perform the intended service.

Figures 28 and 29 are elevations of the mechanism of Figure 2'7 atdifferent positions. They correspond to a section upon the line 28-48 ofFigure 27 and show the movable die structure as well as the lower die.In Figure 28 the dies are separated and a blank has been insertedbetween --mandreland put upon a suitable form so thatit may hold itsshape during curing.

The Fourdrinier or paper machine is intended to be shown conventionallyincross section-in .Figure 9 with a diagrammatic showingof the -windingand compressing mechanism just dethem and the die movement is abouttobegin for pressing the fitting. In Figure 29. the pressing stroke hasbeen completed and the fitting, here a coupling, is shown between thedies with the dies ready to separate to release the fitting.

Figure 30 is a diagrammatic elevation showing opposing female diescooperatively pressing two laminated blanks upon a core and to provide aIt is composed of a fiber such as asbestos and a good quality of cement,which fiber and cement material (herein usually referred to astransite") is laid wet in felted form like paper pulp in progressivelyforming sheets upon a travelling screen, felt or belt. The screen orfelt withdraws the felted material from a pool or reservoir, supportingit for a short or long distance according to the operations to beperformed upon it or to the length of time needed for these operations.To partially eliminate the water it is usually subjected to suction fromso-called suction boxes beneath the felt or screen and ultimately may behandled in various different ways. In one method of manufacturing thissomewhat wet sheet of asbestos and cement (uncured transite) asdeposited upon the felt and subsequently freed by suction from some ofits water is transferred to the surface of a revolving mandrel ofdiameter substantially that of the pipe which is being constructed. Insome forms the travelling sheet is as wide as the length of the pipe andis laid on straight, layer upon layer with each layer the full length ofthe pipe. In others, the sheet is narrower than the length of pipe andis so laid on spirally or otherwise that the mandrel is covered bysuccessive windings until the desired thickness is reached.

While the felted asbestos and cement sheet is being wound upon themandrel, it is concurrently compressedupon the mandrel by pressure rollswhereby the cement is more intimately bonded with the asbestos, and moreof the surplus moisture is squeezed out and the density of structure isconsiderably increased.

It has been found desirable in this operation to use a very thin windingsheet of asbestos and cement, one manufacturer preferring a thickness ofsheet such that when finally compressed on the mandrel it shall occupybut'0.005 of an inch radial depth in the cylinder which is being formed.The winding on the mandrel continues until the desired thickness isreached-such for example as a half inch for a four-inch water pipe thatis to be subjected to 300 pounds working pressure. It is then usuallytaken from the scribed. v

Pipe of the character above indicated is on the market under severaldifferent trade names.

The manner of manufacture thus far described has been limited tosubstantially straight pipe 1 sections and .is not suited to themanufacture of non-straight sections, as to the manufacture of mostcommercial crosses, T's, Y's and elbows.

Such fittings of the types indicated have for this reason hitherto beenof cast iron, steel and in some cases brass and these special fittingshave not been available in asbestos fiber and cement. I

Various efforts have been made to manufacture these fittings of transitebut so far as I am aware, prior, tov the present invention, withoutsuccess.

In molding sections of split fittings with a laminated blank of sheetasbestos fiber and cement by die-pressing the blank betweensuit abledies, there will always be distortions of the laminations and thesedistortions will be more in some fittings than in others and more at.certain portions of a fittingthan in other portions thereof.Nevertheless a fitting made by diea pressing a laminated blank oftransite has in general everywhere a laminated wall structure,

in that substantially everywhere the fitting wall is made up of sheetlaminations with the sheet extensions generally parallel to the wallexten-' sion, that is everywhere transverse tothe thickness dimension ofthe wall. As a result the fibers j in each lamination, which initiallyhave extended in all directionsof the sheet extension, after diepressingof 'the blank into a fitting, will in fact everywhere extend in alldirections transverse-to the thickness of the wall, with, however,.such

small extensions in directions parallel to the wall I 1 1 thickness thatare advantageous rather than otherwise.

The result is a wall undue wall thickness. I I

The fittings illustrated in Figures 1 toz'i'are intended to beconventionally illustrations of any split fittings die-pressed oflaminated asbestos fiber and cement. I

More usually the terms split fitting have been used to indicate onesection merely of the split fitting that in reality comprises twosections, optionally integrally united at the time of manufacture, eachfitting comprising upper and lower sections 3l-3i and 32 united alongmating flanges 33-33 with or without the aid of fiange bolts 34 and,where fiange bolts are used, with or without strengthening fish plates35 and 36 between the flanges and the heads and nuts of the bolts.

The assembly of the sections 3i3i and their corresponding lower sectionssuch as 32 more The upper section 3i is put in place over any suitablegasket 31 illustrated in Figure '2 as ina of-great strength without Idown, using upper fish plates I! and nuts II.

At I1 is shown conventionally sasketing between the divided halves ofthe fitting. Thishas been illustrated in Figure 8 only, butof coursesuch gasketing between the longitudinal flanges would be present also inall of the other figures unless the fianges were molded together so thatthe molding efiected the sealing between the united fianges.

Thisform of connection overcomes certain disadvantages found to existwith connections of unsplit fittings and pipes. In .some instances,however, as where it is desired to use the same type of connectionbetweenpipe and fitting as are now used with unsplit fittings the halfsections of the split fitting may be united in manufacture with or (inFigures 6 and 30) without the use of bolts and fish plates and beforecuring the molded laminated asbestos fiber and cement sections.

Figure 6, showing a Y fitting as a conventional illustration of anyfitting of the type indicated,

In Figure 9atravelling porous endless felt 48 carries a thin layer orsheet 49 of wet asbestos fiber and cement stock. The felt 4 8 hasreceived this stock material 40 in any suitable or usual way, notshown,. from a suitable dispersion of asbestos, 'fiberand cement.

The felt 4| delivers its layer or sheet 49 to wind upon a mandrel 5.,layer upon layer, to any desired thickness and with continuous compres-10 sion upon the mandrel and control of the final moisture left withinthe winding 5| by pressure rolls a! and 53 and a second travellingporous felt I4 presented downwardly under heavy pressure against themass ii on the mandrel.

The second felt 54 together with the compression members I! and IIcontrol both the degree of compression of the laminated windings and thedegree of moisture left within the wound mass. Normally this amount ofmoisture remainin: in the. winding should be that for ultimate has forthis reason been shown with the flanges of its upper and lower sectionsmolded together and for this reason without perforations or fish platesfor uniting the sections that to gether make up the complete fitting.

If the fitting half sections are molded simultaneously, sections mayoptionally be molded simultaneously upon opposite sidesof a core 40between upper and lower main dies 4| and 42, Figure 30.

In this Figure the upper and lower dies 4| and 42 have just compressedlaminated blanks 43 and 44 upori the core 40. The upper and lower decklestructures 45 and 45 have moved downwardly longitudinally of the diesprior to the complete closure of the main dies 4| and 42 to shear ofi'waste material indicated at 41. The lower edge of each upper deckle 45as at 48 comprises a shear to cut away the compressed waste material,preferably prior to the complete compression, in order to compress. thelaminated sheets all the way to their edges. The lower deckle 46,initially flush with the adjoining top surface of the lower main die 42,has been depressed during the edge trimming. When the dies separate, thefitting united about its core is preferably passed within a curing-moldfor the period of curing.

It will be understood that the fitting normally does not attain properstrength, to protect it from greater or lesser change of form duringcuring, unless it is constrained to hold its shape within a suitablecuring box. This box has not been shown.

The core in Figure 30 is intended to be of combination with the cementduring the curing processes.

It will be understood that the degree of moisture desirable in the blankfor die-pressing the blankto form a split fitting will be-bestdetermined by practice and somewhat different according to the degree ofcompression of the blanks during molding and different also according tothe degree of distortion of. the blank by the molding pressure.

The cylinder which is to be wound upon the mandrel and part of which isultimately to form course removable after curing. It might be sand I orany suitable structure adapted to hold its shape during molding andsubsequent curing of the fitting and to easy removal after curing.

Figures 9, 17 and 20 are intended to indicate conventionally and infragment the delivery 'portions of different suitable mechanisms formanu-. facturing somewhat different forms of uncured wet asbestos fiberand cement blanks, suitable to be used in die-pressing split fittings.

InFigure 9 the structure is intendedto be generally similar to that usedin the manufacture of asbestos fiber and cement pipe and the blanks areintended to be made of wet tubes of asbestos fiber and cement flattenedor cut up after delivery from the mechanism of Figure 9 to provideblanks of the desired size.

the blank should be removed from the mandrel before it has hardenedsufiiciently to prevent conformation with the mold or form upon which itis to be pressed. There are three factors to be varied in this, the timeduring which the earliest deposit upon the mandrel has opportunity toset, the thickness of the layer with itsconsequential effect upon thecomposite for conformation of the blank to the mold and the amount ofmoisture remaining, since part of the moisture can be removed duringthis operation and part of it during the ultimate pressure on the mold.

The pressure upon the sheet being wound should not be greater thanenough so that with the time and thickness of winding the material uponthe mandrel will still be plastic. If this means that not all of themoisture is taken out which should be removed then the surplus moistureshould be removed during the present operation upon the forms.

Where the fitting'is a straight coupling, for example, as indicated inigures 2 and 3, a distortion of'the blanks during molding isrelativelysmall and the moisture content desirably should be thatneeding to be present in the ultimate cured asbestos fiber and cement.For this reason the blanks made with the sections of asbestos fiber andcement pipe tube as by the mechanism of Figure 9 is particularly suitedto die-pressing couplings (Figures 2 and 3) and also to other fittingswhere the degree of moisture is to be unchanged-in the molding process.

In Figure 9 the endless felt 48 travels continuously over the roll 55.The roll 55 is supported in suitable bearings 56. The mandrel 50 isshown supported in vertically movable bearings 51 and the pressure rolls52 and 53 are intended to be hydraulically pressed down at 58 to pressthe porous felt 54 upon the winding 5| on the mandrel. Suitablesupporting structure of the pressure rolls is intended to be indicatedat I! and the second porous endless felt 54 between the shaman pressurerolls and 58 and the winding It at once keeps the pressure rolls fromdirect engagement with the winding and cooperates with the rolls incontrolling the water left within the wound mass, the felt usuallycarrying away pressed out water but optionally adding water instead ofcarrying it away by being itself initially moist to any desired extent.

In Figures 10, 11 and 12 the tubular sections Oil, 80' and iii ofuncured asbestos fiber and cement are intended to be used while stillplastic and therefore within a time limit or a moisture content andthickness such that they shall be still plastic. These have been slit inone, two and three positions at 8|, ii and BI respectively. This isintended to indicate that the diameter may be of any size and thecutting into any suitable number of sections so that initially we canwind as-large a diameter as desired and can unfold the whole section asin the case of Figure or can unfold partial sections or use partialsections in their curved form as desired. As will appear in Figures 2 '7and 28, when couplings are being made it is desirable to have as a blanka half section without illustrating its curvature except as it ispressed upon the form.

In Figures 13, 14, and 16 the cylinder of wound plastic material such asthat shown in Figure 10 is not cut but is removed from the mandrel andis collapsed. This is shown at 60 in Figure 13 in partially collapsedform and at 62 in Figure 14 where it is in condition for use as a blank.Being in plastic condition the opposite folds at the center shown in aline in this figure will unite under the forming pressure.

In Figures 15 and 16 the blank 60 is collapsed part way after which areinforcing insert 63 is placed within the circumference. In Figure 16 acylinder is collapsed fully about the insert.

The insert may be metallic such as expanded or otherwise reticulatedmetal through whose interstices the plastic asbestos fiber and cementwill seal or bond under pressure or may be fabric of which burlap is onegood illustration.

Obviously the intended use of the blanks will dictate whether the blanksbe made of wound sheeting or of separate sheets. If of separate sheetsthey can be laid as thick felted sheets initially and used individuallyor they can be laid as sheets either thick or not so thick and piledindividually as in Figure 8 or they can be piled in serpentine form asthey come from-the Four drinier or other paper laying machines.

In the mechanism of Figure 1'7 the ultimate product is a sheet ofuncured asbestos fiber and cement paper conventionally indicated ashaving been folded back and forth at 64 upon a suitable reciprocatingreceiver plate 65.

The endless felt 48', roll 55', asbestos fiber and cement paper 49carried upon the felt, second felt 54', pressure rolls 52' and 53' andhydraulic pressure mechanism 59' are intended to be optionally generallylike the corresponding structure of Figure 9.

In Figure 1'7 the pressed paper 49' of controlled moisture content isreceived as a folding pile 64 upon the reciprocating plate 65. Theultimate blanks in the mechanism of Figure1'7 may suitably comprise asuccession of folds as indicated at 65 and 66 in Figures 18 and 19 withor without the insertion of one or more reinforcement members asindicated at 61 in Figure 19. The reinforcement member 61 may be ofexpanded metal, metal mesh, or fabric mesh or such other suitablematerials as in the case of the insert of Figures 15-and 16.

The pile of sheets shown in Figures 17, 18 and 19 is shown widelyseparated in the individual sheets for clearance of illustration but infact each upper sheet will rest upon the sheet below. It is desirable tocompact such'a pile of sheets into a blank or into a length long enoughto be cut into several blanks before use. the individual blank orindividual blanks being then rested upon the top of the form for plungerpressing. During the consolidation of the sheets they may be furthercompressed if desired than is the compression in Figure 17; and this maybe for the purpose largely of uniting them layer to layer or ofwithdrawing further moisture, if it has not seemed desirable to withdrawall in the Figure 1'! operation before plunger pressing or for bothpurposes.

Where a pile of sheets is desirably used as a blank-as distinguishedfrom piling the sheets separately for use in plunger pressing ashereinafter described in connection with Figure 8- it is desirable tocompress the sheets between the pile into a compact blank form.Mechanism and a method of accomplishing this is shown conventionally inFigure 20 that eitherpiled individual fiat sheets of uncured asbestosfiber and cement or reversely folded sheets such as shown in Figures 18and 19 are to be used for the blank, they may be compacted andconsolidated with or without substantially further elimination ofmoisture by passing them between pressure rolls with or without the useof felting or other such material to assist in withdrawal of moisture.The mechanism of Figure 20 includes felted or other absorbent beltingfor the purpose of reducing the moisture contentor merely avoidingpre-moisture at the surfaces.

As shown the sheets 68 (or folds 66) are passed between pressure rolls55 and 69 where they are compressed to any desired extent. The pile iscarried to the pressure rolls upon an endless felt 48. The lowerpressure roll is optionally similar to the rolls 55 and 55' of Figures 9and 17 respectively. The upper pressure may, as is true also in Figures9 and 1'7, be eflected by a single roll, if desired, instead of the tworolls and felt used in those figures. The roll shown is illustrated asseparated from direct engagement with the sheets 68 by a porous felt 54as indicated in the mechanism of Figures 9 and 1'7. The compressedsheets deliver on to a suitable table 10 to be cut into sections ofdesired dimensions by any suitable knife mechanism I I. These sectionsmay be of size and thickness to each comprise a complete blank or eachcomprise a portion only of the blank thickness.

In Figure 21 the blank 12 comprises one or more of these laminatedsections of piled sheets of uncured asbestos fiber and cement pressedtogether and cut to the required size by the knife mechanism 1| ofFigure 20." In Figure 22 a blank 12' is shown in which a reinforcingsheet 13 has been inserted between upper and lower thicknesses of uncured asbestos fiber and cement as cut from the stock being deliveredfrom the rolls of Figure 20.

Figure 8 is intended to illustrate a conven-' tional die-pressingmechanism in which a plurality of upper dies 14 and are presentedselectively downward to cooperate successively sired number and ofprogressively greater size. In practice there seldom will be more thantwo of the female dies II, II for use successively upon successiveblanks placed upon the lower die.

Where the fitting walls are to be of considerable thickness, the blankswithout great initial compression and the contour of fitting is such asto require very considerable distortion of the blank, it may besometimes preferable to perform the die-pressing operations in stepswith successively larger female dies as; the fitting wall progressivelythickens by the use of successive blanks. One or more relatively thinblanks II are placed successively upon the lower die, and eachoptionally may be pressed by hand or tool to very close conformationwith the surface of the lower die and then pressed against the properupper die, ll or 18, by upward movement or the lower die. When asuitable depth of sheet or blanks have been piled upon the lower diewith or without reinforcement sheets, the proper upper die 14 or 18 ismoved to alignment with the lower die, that is positioned directly abovethe lower die and then the lower die as illustratedis intended to bemoved up hydraulically to press the sheets to the first of the upperdies. The lower die is then moved down and any desired additional sheetsor blanks added and the die-pressing operation repeated upon the finalor larger upper die.

As shown in Figure 8, the lower die I8 is intended to be mounted uponthe upper end of a hydraulic ram I8. The blanks 11 are carried upon atable 18 fastened to stationary structure 88 of the ram. The upper dies14 and 18 are mounted to be presented radially from shoe or bedstructure 8| intended to be supported on and arcurately movable about astationary heavy shaft 82, supported in any suitable way not shown.

More usuallythe die-pressing will be accomplished during a singlemovement of the cooperating dies, preferably the dies mounted upon asuitable hydraulic press of the compound type intended to be illustratedconventionally in Figures 23 to 30.

Figures 23 and 24 are intended to show press structure that includes amain upper die 88 vertically movable hydraulically, a main lower die 84(Figure 24) with cooperating upper and lower structures for trimming andpunching operations. The main lower die 88 is intended to be stationaryand the cooperating upper and lower structures for trimming and punchingoperations as shown are intended to include mating upper and lowervertically movable deckles 88 and 88 respectively and mating upper andlower vertically movable punch rods 81 and 88 respectively.

After theinser-tion of a suitable blank upon the lower die 84, usually ablank adapted to be die-pressed into a complete half-section of a splitfitting, the main upper die 88 descends, and

suitably comes to rest for the trimming and punching operations of thedeckle andpunch members. At the first coming to rest of the main upperdie 88 thelower deckle 86 and the lower punch rods 88 may be presentingtheir upper surfaces 89 and 88 respectively everywhere flush with thecontiguous upper surface of the lower die 84. It will be understood thateither upper or lower die may be movable and usually it is moreconvenient to have the upper die moved down upon the lower die.

In Figure 24 the blank has been placed upon persion with new ass-new thelower die. The upper die has moved down compressing the blank 8| uponthe lower die 84. Before compression is complete. or optionally after itis complete, the edges'of the compressed stock are trimmed and theflange wall is punched. by cooperating upper and lower deckle members 88and 88 and cooperating upper and lower punching members 81 and 88,respectively. Usually it is more desirable to have the punching andtrimming operations take place prior to the completion of the downwardstroke of the main die, in that the final compression incident to thecompletion of the downward stroke of the upper die as may then takeplace with the trimmed edges of the fitting side supported by thedeckles and the outer surfaces of the freshly punched bolt holesside-supported by. the punch members then extending through the holes.

Figure 24 at 82 shows waste material trimmed oil by the descent of theupper deckle 88 after having been first compressed against thedownwardly movable lower deckle 88, all preferably prior to the completedownward stroke of the upper main die 88. This waste material in Figure24 is shown in alignment with the die-pressed fitting 8| from which ithas been cute More usually, however. both the waste trimmings and thepunchings will be kept out of the way by maintaining the lower deckle 88and the punch receivlng rods 88 depressed until the upper die members,including the main die 88, the deckle 88 and the punch rods 81, havemoved up out of the way and the die-pressed fitting 8| has been releasedfrom the lower die, in any usual or suitable way. The deckle and punchpreferabl are depressed also until the die-pressed fitting 8| has beenremoved from the lower die, after which the lower deckle 88 and thelower punch receiving members 88 move up to their initial-position atwhich time they present their upper faces flush with the adjacent upperface of the top of the lower die.

These punchings and trimmings more usually can be returned to thetransite supply, for distransite" stock and for use in the manufactureof pipes and fittings in the manner already explained.

The description of operation in the structure of 23 and 24 will apply tothe structure of the Figures 25 and 26 for which reason thecorresponding parts have been lettered, the same using primes andseconds to distinguish between the figures. The structures are in factalike except that the male and female dies are respectively lower andupper dies in Figures 23 and 24 and upper and lower dies in Figures 25and 26.

In the die structure of Figures 27 and 29 the same'description appliesand the parts have again been related by seconds after thedistinguishing numerals. Figure 28 is intended to show the diesseparated and a blank 88 in place prior to the downward movement of theupper dies.

In Figure 29 the downward movement of the main upper die 88 has not yetreached its final low position. Preferably the upper die comestemporarily to rest during the trimming and punching operations and asseen in Figure 29 the upper deckle and the punches 8! have operated andare still somewhat above their final press the incompletely formedfitting sectionagainst the inwardly presented faces of the upper deckle8!! and against the'surfaces of the punches 8]. The trimmings andpunchings are indicated at 9| and 85 respectively. 1

There is an advantage in placing two halves of sections-oppositecounterparts-together for curing, rigidly fastening them togetherwhether or not the same halves be used together on the job. Placinghalves together, preferably rigidly fastening their flanges togetherduring curing protects the flanges from warping. More usually the halfsections of the fitting are made separately rather than molded together,advantage can then be taken of the ability to exactly locate the gasketbetween the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting outlet;but in certain circumstances itmay be preferred to have the two blanksmolded into an integral fitting at the time of pressing as illustratedin Figure 30. In this event in some cases the bolts and fish platereinforcements such as are shown in Figure 3 may be dispensed with andthe half sections 95 and 91 presented face to face 98 during thestamping operation at 98, with compression at the flanges forming anadequately strong union. The flanges 99 and H10 together then formmerely a strengthening rib llli as indicated in the Y fitting at Hit ofFigure 6.

In view of my invention and disclosure variations and modifications tomeet individual whim or particular need will doubtless become evident toothers skilled in the art, to obtain part or all of the benefits of myinvention without copying the structure shown, and I, therefore, claimall such in so far as they fall within the reasonable spirit and scopeof my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. The method of manufacturing fittings for pipe connection havingirregular conformation which consists in mounting a form sectionallyoutlining diametrically opposite flanges and, intermediate the flanges,the interior or exterior surface of half of a fitting, so that the formis accessible from the side, placing wet sheets of uncured asbestosfiber and cement upon the form of the half fitting, compressing the wetsheets upon the form to remove much of the water and,

' before curing the compressed material, in progressively repeating theoperation with additional wet sheets placed upon those just presseduntil the required thickness as pressed is attained.

2. The method of manufacturing fittings for pipe connection havingirregular conformation which consists in mounting a form sectionallyoutlining, for the length of the fitting, diametrically opposite flangesand, intermediate the flanges, the interior or exterior surface of halfof a fitting so that the form is accessible from the side, placing wetsheets of uncured asbestos fiber and cement upon the form of the halffitting, pressing the sheets down initially at the low spots of the formand compressing the still wet sheets upon the form to remove much of thewater, and, before curing the compressed material in progressivelyrepeating the operation with additional still wet sheets placed uponthose just pressed until the required thickness as pressed is attained.

3. The method of manufacturing a fitting for connecting pipes togetherand providing outlet,

,forming half of the fitting at a time, each upon v a form which for thelength of the fitting sectionally outlines longitudinal flanges andbetween the flanges the intended interior of the half fitting, whichconsists in winding a felted sheet of still wet and uncured asbestos andcement in plastic condition upon a mandrel while compressing the sheetupon the mandrel and upon previously wound layers, removing thecompressed winding from the mandrel. in transferring the removed windingto juxtaposition with the form for the half fitting, and in compressingthe winding upon the form to produce the half fitting, the edges of thefelted sheet being turned outwardly to form flan8es.-

4. The method of manufacturing a partial fit ting from still wet anduncured felted sheet asbestos fiber and cement which consists in windingand compressing the sheet progressively upon a mandrel, in removing thetubular winding from the mandrel, in flattening the removed winding toform a fiat work piece of twice the thickness of the winding and incompressing the work piece laterally against a form to produce a partialfitting corresponding interiorly to the exterior of the form.

5. The method of manufacturing a partial fltting from still wet anduncured felted sheet as: bestos fiber and cement which consists inprogressively and concurrently winding and compressing the sheet stockupon a mandrel, in cutting arcuate blanks out of the tubular winding, intransferring the blanks as work pieces, while still in curved form to amold having an arcuate section and in pressing the work pieces upon themold; the said arcuate blanks having curvature of the order of that ofthe said mold.

6. The method of manufacturing a partial fitting from still wet anduncured felted sheet asbestos fiber and cement which consists in windingand compressing the sheet progressively upon a mandrel, in cuttingblanks out of the tubular stock, in transferring a blank while stillcurved to a mold for a partial fitting, in pressing the blank upon themold, and in pressing an additional curved wet blank upon the firstblank before the first blank has set, the said arcuate blanks havingcurvature of the order of the said mold.

' irregular conformation from still uncured and wet asbestos and cementfelted stock which consists in laying the felted stock in a series oftubular windings, in flattening the windings and in pressing the plasticstock thus produced laterally into the irregular form of half of thefitting with flanges for attachment to a corresponding half fitting andin pressing a second flattened plurality of windings laterally upon thefirst in the position of the first upon the form and before the firsthas set.

8. The method of manufacturing fittings of still uncured and wet feltedasbestos fiber and cement sheet corresponding to curved forms whichconsists in winding and concurrently compressing the sheet upon amandrel under pressure to produce a tubular plastic mass of uncuredasbestos fiber and cement, in cutting arcuate blanks from this mass, inremoving the blanks to forms upon which they are to be pressed toproduce the half fittings and in pressing them transversely of thewinding against the forms to produce the irregular fittings, using thecurved shape of the wound sheets to give initial partial conformation tothe forms, the said arcuate blanks having curvature of the order of thatof said mold.

9. The method of manufacturing pressed fitlng felted plastic asbestosand cement. in laying the sheet thus formed in serpentine fashionbackward and forward in successive layers, in compressing and removingmoisture from the plurality of layers thus formed, producing acompressed blank and in pressing the blank laterally with respect to theform to produce the fittins.

10. The method of manufacturing blanks for die-pressingagainst formsfrom asbestos fiber and cement and inserting reinforcement within theblank which consists in felting the asbestos and cement into a sheet, inwinding the sheet into a cylinder while compressing it progressively. incollapsing the cylinder and in inserting the reinforcement within thecylinder before its total collapse and pressing it into engagement withthe adjacent faces of'the cylinder.

11. The method of manufacturing objects from plastic sheets of feltedasbestos fiber and cement received from a fcurdrinier apron whichconsists in successively laying the sheeted material one layer uponanother while at the same time com pressing it and squeezing moistureout of it, producing a hollow body having a periphery approximatelytwice that of the width needed for the final pressing operation and alength corresponding with that needed for the pressing, fiattening thehollow body while the stock is still plastic to form a blank of the sizeneeded and pressing the blank over a form to produce the objectintended.

12. The method of manufacturing an object from the plastic stockultimately pressed against a form which comprises producing the stock,in laying the sheet material successively in layers under pressure toyield a mass of thickness greatly in excess of the thickness of thesingle sheet. compressing the material and withdrawing moisture formedand at the same time uniting the sheet material to supply a blank havingthe fibers throughout generally parallel and in applying the blank whilestill plastic against the form under pressure. I

13. The method of manufacturing "ti-smite fittings which includesproviding uncured blanks of laminated asbestos fiber and cement,die-pressing the blanks to yield split fittings having flanges andcuring the die-pressed fittings while flanges of split fittings aresecured together to prevent warping of the flanges.

14. The method of manufacturing fittings of asbestos fiber and cementstock which includes providing uncured blanks of plastic laminatedasbestos fiber and cement, in die-pressing the blanks to yield oppositecounterpart split fittings having flanges adapted for ultimate union tocomplete the fittings, in rigidly fastening together oppositecounterpart split fittings through their flanges and in curing thedie-pressed fittings while the flanges are so united.

15. A split fitting of felted asbestos fiber and cement stock havinglaminated walls of the stock illtllii'fid by pressure and having fiangesabout the n t g.

16. A split fitting having asbestos fiber and cement laminated walls andareinforcing sheet of metal having openings through it, the stock ofadjoining laminations being united through the openings.

LOUIS J. COSTA.

